Rolling Stone and The War Against Believers
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission...
When my friend was a teenager and had a rock band he would occasionally glance through the pages of Rolling Stone magazine - a periodical devoted to the rock culture. It is still the most prominent magazine of pop music. Recently he was surprised to find out that instead of an article on Mick Jagger or Taylor Swift, Rolling Stone decided to do an article focusing on him.

He was not coming out with a new album, so why would they do that? Rolling Stone, as with much of the mainstream media, has grown increasingly hostile to God and His people. In view of Rolling Stone's and the mainstream media's increasing attack on believers, he decided to use the attack for God. What was the attack about? He mentioned that Jesus wept over the Jewish people and said that their peace was hidden from them as it still largely is. That was it. Somehow they twisted it as if he was saying that the Israelis caused the Hamas attack!

The attack revealed many of the strategies that are used against born again believers in America. First, they always sought to link him to a political right-wing agenda. As believers, our ultimate agenda is above the political realm and we are to touch every realm of life with the power and love of God - and our focus should be above any name except that of Jesus/ Yeshua. So why do they regularly throw in such words? The strategy is to pigeon-hole believers - label and box them in. That way they don't have to deal with them as people but as caricatures - nor do they have to address the issues. It's a way of marginalizing the people of God. It's also a way of hiding the fact that what they're coming against is actually biblical views. For if someone holds basic and foundational biblical views on such issues as life, marriage, sexuality, gender, or even Israel - they will now be considered right-wing extremists. That's not a reflection on followers of Yeshua - but rather on how extremist the mainstream media and mainstream culture has become. The truth is Rolling Stone not only attacks believers - but also the nation of Israel. It all goes together.

What are we to do when we find ourselves attacked? Rejoice and be glad. It's a good sign. It means we're doing something right. The Lord said it would happen. And so it has. The truth is, to be attacked because of the name of Jesus/ Yeshua is the highest of honors we can ever know.

This month, don't fear, but be strong and bold in the Word, the truth, and the ways of God. And may God greatly bless and empower you as you do!

Your sister and co-laborer in His love and service,
Lizzy

Matthew 5:11-12
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
“Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY AND WEEKEND!!